U.S. patent number 11,109,797 [Application Number 15/942,499] was granted by the patent office on 2021-09-07 for portable electronic device having an integrated bio-sensor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard G. Huizar, Qiliang Xu.
United States Patent |
11,109,797 |
Xu , et al. |
September 7, 2021 |
Portable electronic device having an integrated bio-sensor
Abstract
An electronic device includes a translucent layer that forms a
portion of an exterior of the electronic device, an opaque material
positioned on the translucent layer that defines
micro-perforations, and a processing unit operable to determine
information about a user via the translucent layer. The processing
unit may be operable to determine the information by transmitting
optical energy through a first set of the micro-perforations into a
body part of the user, receiving a reflected portion of the optical
energy from the body part of the user through a second set of the
micro-perforations, and analyzing the reflected portion of the
optical energy.
Inventors: |
Xu; Qiliang (Livermore, CA),
Huizar; Richard G. (Sunnyvale, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Apple Inc. (Cupertino,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005787947 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/942,499 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190069835 A1 |
Mar 7, 2019 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
62554140 |
Sep 5, 2017 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/3287 (20130101); G06F 1/3231 (20130101); A61B
5/0205 (20130101); G06F 1/1684 (20130101); A61B
5/0059 (20130101); A61B 5/443 (20130101); G06F
1/1662 (20130101); A61B 5/14551 (20130101); G06F
1/1616 (20130101); G06F 1/169 (20130101); A61B
5/6898 (20130101); G06F 1/1637 (20130101); A61B
5/021 (20130101); A61B 5/02427 (20130101); A61B
5/024 (20130101); A61B 5/14542 (20130101); A61B
5/026 (20130101); A61B 2562/0238 (20130101); A61B
2560/0462 (20130101); A61B 5/0816 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/024 (20060101); G06F 1/3287 (20190101); G06F
1/3231 (20190101); G06F 1/16 (20060101); A61B
5/00 (20060101); A61B 5/1455 (20060101); A61B
5/08 (20060101); A61B 5/021 (20060101); A61B
5/026 (20060101); A61B 5/0205 (20060101); A61B
5/145 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;600/504-507 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1493255 |
|
May 2004 |
|
CN |
|
101427125 |
|
May 2009 |
|
CN |
|
101605495 |
|
Dec 2009 |
|
CN |
|
103153172 |
|
Jun 2013 |
|
CN |
|
103228205 |
|
Jul 2013 |
|
CN |
|
104755020 |
|
Jul 2015 |
|
CN |
|
105534513 |
|
May 2016 |
|
CN |
|
105813554 |
|
Jul 2016 |
|
CN |
|
WO 99/039630 |
|
Aug 1999 |
|
WO |
|
WO 15/200386 |
|
Dec 2015 |
|
WO |
|
WO2016/040392 |
|
Mar 2016 |
|
WO |
|
WO 16/066888 |
|
May 2016 |
|
WO |
|
WO 16/166414 |
|
Oct 2016 |
|
WO |
|
WO 16/176218 |
|
Nov 2016 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Natnithithadha; Navin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck,
LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/554,140, filed Sep. 5, 2017 and titled "Portable Electronic
Device Having an Integrated Bio-Sensor," the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable electronic device, comprising: an upper enclosure; a
display positioned within the upper enclosure; a lower enclosure
pivotally coupled to the upper enclosure and comprising: a
translucent layer defining an external surface; and an opaque layer
coupled to the translucent layer and defining an array of
micro-perforations; a keyboard positioned within the lower
enclosure; a bio-sensor positioned within the lower enclosure below
the array of micro-perforations and comprising: a light source
operable to transmit light through the array of micro-perforations
into a body part of a user; and a light receiver operable to
receive reflected light from the body part of the user; and a
processing unit, communicably coupled to the light receiver and
operable to determine a health metric based on the reflected
light.
2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the
bio-sensor is positioned along a side of the keyboard; and the body
part is a palm of a hand of the user.
3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the light
source is a green LED; the bio-sensor is configured to detect blood
perfusion in the body part of the user; and the health metric is at
least one of: a heart rate, a respiration rate, a blood oxygenation
level, a blood volume estimate, or a blood pressure.
4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the light
source is an infrared LED; and the bio-sensor is configured to
detect water content of the body part of the user.
5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the array of
micro-perforations are configured to obscure the light source and
the light receiver when the bio-sensor is not in operation.
6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein each
micro-perforation of the array of micro-perforations is
approximately 30-70 microns in diameter and is spaced approximately
80-500 microns apart from an adjacent micro-perforation.
7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the
translucent layer comprises glass; and the opaque layer includes a
layer of ink deposited on an internal surface of the translucent
layer that is opposite to the external surface.
8. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the
translucent layer comprises plastic; and the opaque layer includes
a layer of ink deposited on an internal surface of the translucent
layer that is opposite to the external surface.
9. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the upper
enclosure and the lower enclosure define an enclosure of a notebook
computer.
10. An electronic device, comprising: an enclosure having a
translucent layer that forms part of an exterior surface of the
electronic device; a keyboard positioned within the enclosure; an
opaque material positioned along an interior surface of the
translucent layer and defining an array of micro-perforations; a
bio-sensor positioned within the enclosure and below the array of
micro-perforations, the bio-sensor comprising: a light source
configured to transmit light through the array of
micro-perforations; a light receiver configured to detect reflected
light from a body part exterior to the enclosure; and a processing
unit operable to determine bio-information based on the reflected
light detected by the light receiver.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein: the light source
transmits the light through a first set of micro-perforations in
the array of micro-perforations; the light receiver receives the
reflected light through a second set of micro-perforations in the
array of micro-perforations; the first set of micro-perforations
extends along a first angle with respect to the exterior surface;
and the second set of micro-perforations extends along a second
angle with respect to the exterior surface, the second angle
different from the first angle.
12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the first set of
micro- perforations is angled toward the second set of
micro-perforations.
13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein: the light source
transmits the light through a first set of micro-perforations in
the array of micro-perforations; the light receiver receives the
reflected light through a second set of micro-perforations in the
array of micro-perforations; and the first set of
micro-perforations extends along a non-perpendicular angle with
respect to the exterior surface.
14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein: the light source
transmits the light through a first set of micro-perforations in
the array of micro-perforations; the light receiver receives the
reflected light through a second set of micro-perforations in the
array of micro-perforations; and the second set of
micro-perforations extends along a non-perpendicular angle with
respect to the exterior surface and blocks light that is not
substantially aligned with the non- perpendicular angle.
15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the body part
absorbs a portion of the light.
16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the portion of the
light absorbed by the body part depends on a tissue density of the
body part.
17. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein: the processing unit
is configured to: operate the light source and the light receiver
in a first mode to detect a proximity of the body part with respect
to the exterior surface; and after detecting the body part is
proximate to the exterior surface, operate the light source and the
light receiver in a second mode to determine a physiological
condition of the user.
18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein: the light source
makes a non-visible light emission when operated in the first mode;
and the light source makes a visible light emission when operated
in the second mode.
19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein determining the
physiological condition comprises determining at least one of: a
heart rate, a respiration rate, a blood oxygenation level, a blood
volume estimate, or a blood pressure.
20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein determining the
physiological condition comprises determining a photoplethysmogram
for the user.
Description
FIELD
The described embodiments generally relate to electronic devices
and, more particularly, to determining a health metric or
physiological condition using a bio-sensor that is integrated with
the electronic device.
BACKGROUND
Portable electronic devices, including notebook computers, tablet
computers, and mobile phones, have become common and useful
devices. Many traditional portable electronic devices are
configured to receive input using a keyboard or similar input
device. However, few, if any, traditional notebook computers
include sophisticated sensors or sensing techniques to monitor the
user.
The present disclosure is directed to systems and techniques for
integrating a bio-sensor into a surface of a portable electronic
device.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to body sensing via translucent
layers with opaque layers. The electronic device includes an opaque
layer positioned on a translucent layer that defines
micro-perforations. A light source transmits light or other optical
energy through the micro-perforations into a body part of a user. A
light receiver receives the light that is reflected back from the
body part of the user through the micro-perforations. Information
about the user's body is determined from the light that is
reflected back.
In some embodiments, a portable electronic device including an
upper enclosure; a display positioned within the upper enclosure; a
lower enclosure pivotally coupled to the upper enclosure and
including a translucent layer defining an external surface and an
opaque layer coupled to the translucent layer and defining an array
of micro-perforations; a keyboard positioned within the lower
enclosure; a bio-sensor positioned within the lower enclosure below
the array of micro-perforations and including a light source
operable to transmit light through the array of micro-perforations
into a body part of a user and a light receiver operable to receive
reflected light from the body part of the user; and a processing
unit, communicably coupled to the light receiver and operable to
determine a health metric based on the reflected light.
In various examples, the bio-sensor is positioned along a side of
the keyboard and the body part is a palm of a hand of the user. In
numerous examples, the light source is a green LED, the bio-sensor
is configured to detect blood perfusion in the body part of the
user and the health metric is at least one of a heart rate, a
respiration rate, a blood oxygenation level, a blood volume
estimate, or a blood pressure. In some examples, the light source
is an infrared LED and the bio-sensor is configured to detect water
content of the body part of the user.
In numerous examples, the array of micro-perforations are
configured to obscure the light source and the light receiver when
the bio-sensor is not in operation. In some examples, each
micro-perforation of the array of micro-perforations is
approximately 30-70 microns in diameter and is spaced approximately
80-500 microns apart from an adjacent micro-perforation.
In various examples, the translucent layer is at least one of glass
or plastic and the opaque layer includes a layer of ink deposited
on an internal surface of the translucent layer that is opposite to
the external surface.
In various embodiments, an electronic device includes a translucent
layer that forms a portion of an exterior surface of the electronic
device, an opaque material positioned along an interior surface of
the translucent layer that defines an array of micro-perforations,
a light source positioned below the translucent layer and
configured to transmit light through the array of
micro-perforations, a light receiver positioned below the
translucent layer proximate to the light source and configured to
detect reflected light from a body part and a processing unit
operable to determine bio-information based on the reflected light
detected by the light receiver.
In some examples, the light source transmits the light through a
first set of micro-perforations of the array of micro-perforations,
the light receiver receives the reflected light through a second
set of micro-perforations of the array of micro-perforations, the
first set of micro-perforations extends along a first angle with
respect to the exterior surface, and the second set of
micro-perforations extends along a second angle with respect to the
exterior surface that is different from the first angle. In such
examples, the first set of micro-perforations may be angled toward
the second set of micro-perforations.
In numerous examples, the light source transmits the light through
a first set of micro-perforations of the array of
micro-perforations, the light receiver receives the reflected light
through a second set of micro-perforations of the array of
micro-perforations, and the first set of micro-perforations is
configured to direct the light along a non-perpendicular angle with
respect to the exterior surface. In various examples, the light
source transmits the light through a first set of
micro-perforations of the array of micro-perforations, the light
receiver receives the reflected light through a second set of
micro-perforations of the array of micro-perforations, and the
second set of micro-perforations is configured to receive light
substantially aligned with a non-perpendicular angle with respect
to the exterior surface and block light that is not substantially
aligned with the non-perpendicular angle.
In some examples, the body part absorbs a portion of the light. The
portion of the light absorbed by the body part may depend on a
tissue density of the body part.
In numerous embodiments, a method of sensing a physiological
condition includes while operating a bio-sensor in a first mode,
detecting a proximity of a body part of a user with respect to an
exterior surface of a translucent layer by producing a first light
emission through the translucent layer; when the body part is
proximate to the exterior surface of the translucent layer,
operating the bio-sensor in a second mode by producing a second
light emission through the translucent layer; and determining the
physiological condition by analyzing a portion of the second light
emission reflected from the body part.
In some examples, the first light emission of the first mode
includes a non-visible light emission and the second light emission
of the second mode includes a visible light emission. In various
examples, an opaque layer is positioned along the translucent layer
and defines an array of micro-perforations, the first and second
light emissions are transmitted through the array of
micro-perforations, and the opaque layer obscures the bio-sensor
when the bio-sensor is operating in the first mode. In numerous
examples, the bio-sensor uses power at a first rate while operating
in the first mode, the bio-sensor uses power at a second rate while
operating in the second mode, and the second rate is greater than
the first rate.
In various examples, determining the physiological condition
includes determining at least one of: a heart rate, a respiration
rate, a blood oxygenation level, a blood volume estimate, or a
blood pressure. In some examples, determining the physiological
condition includes determining a photoplethysmogram for the
user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein
like reference numerals designate like structural elements.
FIG. 1A depicts an example electronic device having an integrated
bio-sensor.
FIG. 1B depicts the example electronic device of FIG. 2 while the
user is using a keyboard.
FIG. 2 depicts a detail view of a sensing area of the electronic
device.
FIG. 3 depicts an alternative implementation of FIG. 2 where the
opaque layer defines a micro-perforated transmission region and a
micro-perforated receiving region.
FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the sensing area, taken
along section A-A of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the
sensing area taken along section A-A including micro-perforations
that are angled transverse to a sensing surface.
FIG. 6 depicts an optical schematic of a bio-sensor integrated with
an electronic device.
FIG. 7A depicts an example electronic device that is operable to
transition from a low power state to an operating state upon
detecting a user.
FIG. 7B depicts the example electronic device of FIG. 7A after
detection of the user and transition from the low power state to
the operating state.
FIG. 8 depicts an example electronic device that is operable to
illuminate a keyboard and the trackpad upon detecting a user.
FIG. 9 depicts an example electronic device that is operable to
detect and display health information about a user.
FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart illustrating an example process for
sensing a physiological condition or health metric.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood
that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the
embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is
intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as
can be included within the spirit and scope of the described
embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
The description that follows includes sample systems, apparatuses,
methods, and computer program products that embody various elements
of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that
the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in
addition to those described herein.
The following disclosure relates to a bio-sensor that is integrated
with an electronic device. In particular, the bio-sensor may be
integrated into an enclosure of a notebook computer allowing the
bio-sensor to measure a condition of the user while the device is
in use. For example, the bio-sensor may be positioned adjacent to
the keyboard along a region that corresponds to a location where a
portion of the user's hand contacts the enclosure (e.g., the user's
palm). As described herein, the enclosure may include a translucent
layer or sheet that forms at least a portion of the exterior of the
device. An opaque layer may be formed along an interior surface of
the transparent layer and may define an array of micro-perforations
that are able to transmit light from the sensor but also obscure
the bio-sensor from the user when it is not in operation.
In some embodiments, the bio-sensor is configured to produce a
light emission that is transmitted through the micro-perforations
defined in the opaque layer. In an example mode of operation, the
bio-sensor may be used to determine a health metric or a
physiological condition by detecting the light that is reflected
off the body part of a user (e.g., the palm of a user's hand). In
another example mode of operation, the bio-sensor may be used to
detect a proximity of the user's hand with respect to the device.
In response to the user's hand being detected as proximate to the
bio-sensor, the device may be configured to change operation of the
bio-sensor, alter the operational state of the device, or perform
some other function.
The bio-sensor may include a variety of different light sources
that transmit the light and/or a variety of different light
receivers that receive the light. For example, the light may be
transmitted by a light emitting diode (LED), a micro-LED, an
organic light emitting diode (OLED), or other type of light source.
The light source may be configured to emit a visible light emission
(e.g., green or red) or a non-visible light emission (e.g.,
infrared or ultraviolet). The light may be received by a
photodiode, photo-sensor, or other of light receiver.
In some cases, a portion of the exterior of the device enclosure is
defined by a translucent layer or substrate. For example, the upper
surface of a notebook enclosure may be defined by the translucent
layer, which may include one or more sheets of translucent
material. The translucent layer may be formed of any translucent
layer or translucent material including, for example, glass,
sapphire, plastic, and so on. An opaque layer may be formed or
positioned along an interior surface of the translucent layer to
mask or visually obscure internal components of the device. The
opaque layer may be any opaque layer or opaque material, such as
paint, ink, and so on. The opaque layer may reduce or prevent the
visibility of the bio-sensor components from the outside of the
enclosure while allowing light to pass through the
micro-perforations to perform the sensing operations. The opaque
layer may also help direct the light along a particular direction
to assist with sensing and/or optical noise reduction.
The micro-perforations may be formed with a variety of different
dimensions. The diameter or size of each perforation and the may be
sufficiently small that the opaque layer blocks or obscures the
visibility internal components and may also not be visually
distinguishable from a portion of the opaque layer not having
micro-perforations. At the same time, the diameter or size of each
perforation may be sufficiently large to allow sensor light to pass
to enable operation of the bio-sensor. The spacing or arrangement
of the micro-perforations may also be adapted to achieve this
functionality. For example, the micro-perforations may be
approximately 30-70 microns across and may be spaced at least
approximately 80-500 microns apart. In some implementations, the
micro-perforations may be angled transverse with respect to the
translucent layer. The angle of micro-perforations may determine a
transmission direction or a receiving direction of the light
passing through the translucent layer.
The above transmission and receiving of light through the
micro-perforations defined in the opaque layer on the translucent
layer may be used to implement a variety of different sensors in an
electronic device. Examples of such sensors include, but are not
limited to, bio-sensors (e.g., health sensors, photoplethysmography
(PPG) sensors), ambient light sensors, proximity sensors, infrared
distance sensors, and so on. In some implementations, the
electronic device may a single sensor to perform different sensing
functions. For example, the device may be configured to operate the
sensor in a first mode to detect the proximity of the user with
respect to the device and to operate the same sensor in another
mode to sense a physiological condition or determine a health
metric associated with the user. In one example, the sensor may be
used to adjust power levels of the electronic device (e.g., to
switch an input and/or output component from a low power state to
an active state) when the sensor detects that a user has moved into
a position to use the electronic device. The sensor may also be
used to illuminate an input device when the sensor detects that a
user has moved into a position to use the input component. The same
sensor may be operated in a different, bio-sensing mode to detect
health information about a user (e.g., determine a heart rate for
the user, a photoplethysmogram for the user, and so on). A variety
of different configurations and uses are possible and contemplated
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As described herein, the translucent (e.g., light transmissible)
layer may be formed from one or more translucent materials
including, for example, glass, ceramic, plastic, or a combination
thereof. As used herein, the term translucent or translucent layer
may be used to refer to a material or layer that allows the passage
of light and does not require that the material or layer be
transparent, clear, or otherwise free from features that scatter or
absorb some amount of light. As used herein, the term translucent
may generally refer to a material or layer that is optically
transparent, partially, transparent, or otherwise able to transmit
light.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
FIGS. 1-10. However, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect
to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be
construed as limiting.
FIG. 1A depicts an example electronic device 100 that includes a
bio-sensor. In particular, the electronic device 100 includes a
bio-sensor or other type of sensor that is operable to sense a user
through a translucent layer 102. The translucent layer 102 may
define an exterior surface of the device and area 101 along the
exterior surface may correspond to the location of the bio-sensor
that is positioned within the lower enclosure 108. The bio-sensor
may be configured to transmit light or other optical energy through
micro-perforations defined in an opaque layer on the translucent
layer 102 and receive a portion of the light back through the
micro-perforations reflected back from the body part of a user.
FIG. 1B illustrates a body part of the user 110 (e.g., a user's
hand) in a position associated with the use of the device 100. In
particular, the body part of the user 110 is positioned such that
at least a portion (e.g., the user's palm) is contacting the lower
enclosure 108 along the area 101. As described in more detail below
with respect to FIG. 6, the bio-sensor may be configured to measure
a property or condition of the body part of the user 110, which may
be used to determine a physiological condition or health metric. In
accordance with some embodiments, the bio-sensor may also be
operated in a proximity sensor mode to detect the presence or
absence of the body part of the user 110.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic device 100 includes an
upper enclosure 109, a display 107 positioned within the upper
enclosure 109, a lower enclosure 108 pivotally coupled to the upper
enclosure via a hinge 106. The lower enclosure 108 may include the
translucent layer 102 defining an exterior surface of the device
100. An opaque layer may be positioned along an interior surface of
the translucent layer 102 and define an array of micro-perforations
(which are described in detail below with respect to FIG. 2). A
bio-sensor may be positioned within the lower enclosure 108. The
micro-perforations may obfuscate and/or otherwise hide the
bio-sensor from view.
The bio-sensor may include an optical energy source, such as a
light source, operable to transmit light through the
micro-perforations into the body part of the user 110. The
bio-sensor may also include an optical energy receiver, such as a
light receiver, operable to receive reflected light from the body
part of the user 110. The electronic device may further include a
processing unit, communicably coupled to the light receiver and
operable to determine a physiological condition (i.e., information
about the body part of the user 110) based on the reflected
light.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a keyboard 104 and trackpad 103 may be
positioned within the lower enclosure 108. The keyboard 104 may
include an electromechanical keyboard, virtual keyboard, or other
type of keyboard component/device configured to receive keystrokes
from the user. The trackpad 103 may be an electromechanical
trackpad, an electronic trackpad, virtual trackpad, or other
touch-sensitive device configured to receive touch and/or force
input from the user. The bio-sensor may be positioned below (e.g.,
adjacent) the keyboard 104 and along a side of the trackpad 103. As
stated previously, the location of the bio-sensor may correspond to
a predicted location of the user's palm during a normal or
predicted typing position.
In various implementations, the transmission and receiving of light
through the micro-perforations may be used to implement a variety
of different sensors or sensing modes for the electronic device
100. In various examples, these sensors or sensing modes include,
but are not limited to, health sensors, ambient light sensors,
proximity sensors, infrared distance sensors, PPG sensors, and so
on. The electronic device 100 may use one or more of these sensors
or sensing modes in a variety of different ways.
In one example, the electronic device 100 may transmit and receive
light through the micro-perforations to implement a proximity
sensor. The proximity sensor may detect that the body part of the
user 110 is proximate to the area 101 when a portion of transmitted
light is reflected and received. To the contrary, if the body part
of the user 110 is not sufficiently close to the area 101, the body
part of the user 110 may not receive and/or reflect any portion of
the transmitted light. If a portion of transmitted light is not
reflected and received, the electronic device may determine that
the body part of the user 110 is not proximate to the area 101. In
some implementations, a distance from the area 101 to the body part
of the user 110 may be determined based on the amount of time
between transmission and receiving of the light, indicating the
amount of time taken by the light to travel from the area 101 to
the body part of the user 110 and back again.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the area 101 of the translucent layer 102
corresponding to the sensor may be positioned adjacent to input
devices such as the trackpad 103 and/or the keyboard 104. As such,
when the user 110 is positioned to use the input devices, the
proximity of the body part of the user 110 may be detected when the
bio-senor is operated as a proximity sensor or in a
proximity-sensing mode. In some implementations, the electronic
device 100 may be configured to use such a proximity sensor to
determine to adjust power levels of the electronic device 100. For
example, the electronic device 100 may switch components, such as
the trackpad 103, the keyboard 104, and/or a display 107, in a low
power state (such as a powered down state) in order to conserve
power or battery life when the electronic device 100 is not in use.
The electronic device 100 may determine that the electronic device
100 is not in use when the proximity detector has not detected the
body part of the user 110 for a period of time, such as five
minutes. When the proximity sensor detects the body part of the
user 110 while the electronic device 100 is operating in the low
power state, the electronic device may switch from the low power
state to an active state. For example, the electronic device 100
may activate a component, such as the trackpad 103, the keyboard
104, and/or a display 107. In another example implementation, the
electronic device 100 may be configured with a light source
operable to illuminate an input device, such as the trackpad 103
and/or the keyboard 104. In order to conserve power or battery
life, or to be less obtrusive, the electronic device 100 may
illuminate the input device when the proximity sensor detects that
the user's body part is in position to use the input device.
By way of another example, the bio-sensor may transmit and receive
light through the micro-perforations to measure a property or
condition of the user 110 and used to determine a physiological
condition or health metric. When light is transmitted into the body
part of the user 110, the body part of the user 110 may absorb a
portion of the light. The portion of the light that is not absorbed
by the body part of the user 110 may be reflected back. The
portions of the light that are absorbed or reflected by the body
part of the user 110 may be dependent on the tissue density (or
other density) of portions of the body part of the user 110. This
may be used to measure, water content, perfusion, blood flow,
and/or other health-related characteristics of the user 110. The
electronic device 100 may use the bio-sensor to determine a heart
rate for the user 110, a blood pressure for the user 110, a blood
perfusion in the user 110, a water content of the user 110, a blood
oxygenation level of the user, a blood volume estimate for the user
110, a respiration rate of the user 110, a photoplethysmogram for
the user 110, and so on.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the area 101 of the translucent layer
102 corresponding to the sensor may be positioned adjacent to input
devices such as the trackpad 103 and/or the keyboard 104. As such,
when the user 110 is positioned to use the input devices, the body
part of the user 110 may be positioned to be detected by the
bio-sensor. The electronic device 100 may thus use the bio-sensor
to discreetly monitor health information about the user 110 while
the user is operating the electronic device 100 without forcing the
user to specifically move into a position for monitoring. The
electronic device 100 may continuously, periodically, and/or
otherwise monitor the health information. The electronic device 100
may also communicate with one or more other electronic devices
(such as an associated cellular telephone, wearable device, and so
on) to monitor, process, store, and/or take various actions based
on such health information.
In some implementations, the bio-sensor may determine health
information about the user 110 by transmitting and receiving
multiple wavelengths of light. For example, the bio-sensor may
transmit and receive green and red light. Different substances
and/or colored materials may absorb light differently. For example,
green, red, and/or infrared light may be absorbed differently by
darker hair, tattoos, and so on. By determining health information
by comparing multiple wavelengths of light that have been
transmitted and reflected back by the body part of the user 110,
the electronic device 100 may determine more accurate health
information than might be possible by using a single wavelength of
light.
In another example, the electronic device may utilize different
sensors and/or different sensing modes having different wavelengths
of light in different combinations. For example, the bio-sensor
functioning as proximity sensor or in a proximity-sensing mode may
use infrared light or another non-visible light source. When the
bio-sensor is functioning as health sensor or in a health-sensing
mode, the bio-sensor may use light in the visible spectrum. To
prevent the light in the visible spectrum from being noticed by the
user 110, the electronic device 100 may first operate the
bio-sensor in a proximity-sensing mode to detect the body part of
the user 110 as the infrared light may not be visually discernible
to the user. Once the electronic device 100 determines that the
bio-sensor is covered by the body part of the user 110, the
electronic device 100 may then cause the bio-sensor to operate in a
health-sensing mode using visible light.
Further, in various examples, an electronic device may operate the
bio-sensor in a proximity-sensing mode to guide the user 110 to an
optimal position for operating the bio-sensor in a health-sensing
mode. For example, health information such as heart rate or blood
pressure may be most accurately detected optically from the palm of
the hand. As such, the electronic device 100 may determine where
the user's hand is with respect to the health sensor and may
provide output to the user 110 to direct the user 110 to move his
hand until it is in an optimal position for operating the
bio-sensor in a health-sensing mode.
In still other examples, the electronic device 100 may operate the
bio-sensor as an ambient light sensor or in an ambient
light-sensing mode. When operating in an ambient light-sensing
mode, the bio-sensor may be configured to detect ambient (e.g.,
sunlight or visible light) to determine an ambient light level of
an environment in which the electronic device 100 is present. The
electronic device 100 may also use the ambient light-sensing mode
to determine proximity of the user, as the ambient light sensor may
not receive ambient light if blocked by the body part of the user
110.
Although a single sensor is described above as corresponding to the
area 101 of the translucent layer 102, it is understood that this
is an example. In various implementations, the electronic device
100 may include any number of sensors that correspond to any number
of different areas of the translucent layer 102. Various
configurations are possible and contemplated. For example, the area
101 is illustrated as being positioned to the right of the trackpad
103 in FIG. 1A, as shown. In some implementations, a second sensor
may correspond to an additional area of the translucent layer 102
that is positioned to the left of the trackpad to mirror the area
101.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic device 100 may be
a laptop or notebook computing device. However, it is understood
that this is an example and that in other implementations the
electronic device 100 may be any electronic device, such as a
desktop computing device, a tablet computing device, a wearable
device, a smart phone, a digital media player, a display, a
printer, a kitchen appliance, a cellular telephone, a mobile
computing device and so on.
The electronic device 100 may include a variety of components,
shown or not shown. For example, the electronic device 100 may
include a variety of different components such as one or more
communication components, one or more non-transitory storage media
(which may take the form of, but is not limited to, a magnetic
storage medium; optical storage medium; magneto-optical storage
medium; read only memory; random access memory; erasable
programmable memory; flash memory; or the like), and so on without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Various
configurations are possible and contemplated.
FIG. 2 depicts a detail view of the area 101 of the translucent
layer 102 corresponding to the sensor. The translucent layer 102
may be formed of any kind of translucent layer or translucent
material, such as glass, plastic, and so on. An opaque layer 211
may be formed on the translucent layer 102. The opaque layer 211
(which may be any opaque layer or opaque material, such as light
reflective, absorptive, or blocking paint, ink, and so on) may
define a array or set of micro-perforations 212.
The opaque layer 211 may be visible through the translucent layer
and may visually obscure or block the viewing of internal
components through the translucent layer 102. The opaque layer 211
may also prevent light that does not pass through the
micro-perforations 212 from being visible through the translucent
layer. The opaque layer 211 may be positioned on an exterior
portion of the translucent layer 102, an interior portion of the
translucent layer 102, within the translucent layer 102, and so on.
In implementations where the opaque layer 211 is positioned along
an interior surface of the translucent layer 102 and/or within the
translucent layer 102, the opaque layer 211 may be visible through
the translucent layer 102.
The micro-perforations 212 may be configured in a variety of
different arrangements and with a variety of different dimensions.
(The size and spacing of the micro-perforations 212, 312 depicted
in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be exaggerated for purposes of illustration
and may not be representative or drawn to scale.) The dimensions
may be sufficiently small that the opaque layer 211 blocks internal
components and/or light that does not passing through the
micro-perforations 212 from being visible through the translucent
layer 102 while light is still able to pass through the
micro-perforations 212. In one example configuration, the
micro-perforations 212 may have a size or diameter of approximately
30-70 microns. While the micro-perforations 212 are depicted as
being circular in shape, the shape may vary depending on the
implementation and may include other shapes including, rectilinear
shapes, curved shapes, slits, and so on. The micro-perforations 212
may be spaced approximately 80-500 microns apart. Stated another
way, each micro-perforation may approximately 80-500 microns from
an adjacent micro-perforation.
FIG. 2 illustrates a uniform arrangement of the micro-perforations
212. In some examples, the electronic device 100 may use the same
micro-perforations 212 for transmitting and receiving light. In
other implementations, the electronic device 100 may use a first
set of the micro-perforations 212 for transmitting light and a
second set of the micro-perforations 212 for receiving light. In
still other implementations, transmitting and receiving areas of
micro-perforations 212 may be separated
For example, FIG. 3 depicts an alternative implementation of the
area 301 of the translucent layer 302 corresponding to the sensor
of FIG. 2 where the opaque layer 311 defines a micro-perforation
transmission region 320 and a micro-perforation receiving region
321. In this implementation, a first set of the micro-perforations
312 defined in the micro-perforation transmission region 320 may be
used for transmitting light and a second set of the
micro-perforations 312 defined in the micro-perforation receiving
region 321 may be used for receiving light. Further, the opaque
layer 311 may also include a separation region 322 between the
micro-perforation transmission region 320 and the micro-perforation
receiving region 321 that does not define micro-perforations
312.
FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the area 101 of the
translucent layer 102 corresponding to the sensor, taken along line
A-A of FIG. 1A. In this implementation, a bio-sensor may include an
optical energy source, such as a light source 414 (such as an LED,
an OLED, an incandescent light source, and/or other light source),
configured to transmit light or other optical energy through the
translucent layer 102 via one or more of the micro-perforations
212. Similarly, the bio-sensor may include an optical energy
receiver, such as a light receiver 415 (such as a photodiode and/or
other image or light sensor), configured to receive light through
the translucent layer 102 via one or more of the micro-perforations
212. The light source 414 may transmit the light through the
translucent layer 102 via one or more of the micro-perforations 212
into a body part of a user. Similarly, the light receiver 415 may
receive light through the translucent layer 102 via one or more of
the micro-perforations 212, such as a portion of the light
transmitted by the light source 414 after it is reflected back by
the body part of the user.
The light source 414 and the light receiver 415 may be connected to
a processing unit 416 and/or other processor or controller via one
or more electrical connections, such as a substrate 417 which may
be a printed circuit board or similar component that provides
structural support to the light source 414 and the light receiver
415. The processing unit 416 may control light transmission by the
light source 414, light receiving by the light receiver 415,
determination of information about the body of the user based on
light received by the light receiver 415, and so on.
Thus, as shown, the electronic device 100 may include a translucent
layer 102 defining an external surface, an opaque layer 211 coupled
to the translucent layer 102 and defining an array of
micro-perforations 212, and a bio-sensor positioned below the array
of micro-perforations 212. The bio-sensor may include a light
source 414 operable to transmit light through the array of
micro-perforations 212 into a body part of a user and a light
receiver 415 operable to receive reflected light from the body part
of the user. Further, the electronic device 100 may include a
processing unit 416, communicably coupled to the light receiver 415
and operable to determine a health metric based on the reflected
light.
Further as shown, the electronic device 100 may include a
translucent layer 102 that forms a portion of an exterior surface
of the electronic device 100, an opaque material 211 positioned
along an interior surface of the translucent layer 102 that defines
an array of micro-perforations 212, a light source 414 positioned
below the translucent layer 102 and configured to transmit light
through the array of micro-perforations 212, and a light receiver
415 positioned below the translucent layer 102 proximate to the
light source 414 and configured to detect reflected light from a
body part. The electronic device 100 may also include a processing
unit 416 operable to determine bio-information based on the
reflected light detected by the light receiver 415.
FIG. 4 illustrates the micro-perforations 212 as angled orthogonal
or perpendicular to the translucent layer 102. In various
implementations, the micro-perforations 212 may be arranged along a
non-perpendicular angle to direct transmission and/or receiving of
light.
For example, FIG. 5 depicts an alternative implementation of FIG. 4
where the micro-perforations 512 are arranged along a
non-perpendicular angle with respect to an exterior surface of the
translucent layer 502. The angle of the micro-perforations 512 may
determine a transmission direction and/or a receive direction of
the light or other optical energy passing through the translucent
layer 502.
As shown in FIG. 5, the micro-perforations 512A associated with the
light source 514 are angled differently than the micro-perforations
512B associated with the light receiver 515. Specifically, the
micro-perforations 512A extend along a first angle with respect to
the exterior surface, which is a mirror of the micro-perforations
512B that extend along a second angle with respect to the exterior
surface. Stated another way, the micro-perforations 512A associated
with the light source 514 are angled transverse to the translucent
layer 502 (and/or the substrate 517) and toward the
micro-perforations 512B associated with the light receiver 515, and
vice versa. Thus, the micro-perforations 512A associated with the
light source 514 may direct the light or light emission along the
non-perpendicular angle shown. Similarly, the micro-perforations
512B associated with the light receiver 515 may be configured to
receive light substantially aligned with a non-perpendicular angle
with respect to the exterior surface and block light that is not
substantially aligned with the non-perpendicular angle. This may
improve receiving and reflection of the light by a body part of the
user and/or receiving of light reflected by the body part of the
user.
Thus, as shown, an electronic device may include a translucent
layer 502 defining an external surface, an opaque layer 511 coupled
to the translucent layer 502 and defining an array of
micro-perforations 512A, 512B, and a bio-sensor positioned below
the array of micro-perforations 512A, 512B. The bio-sensor may
include a light source 514 operable to transmit light through the
array of micro-perforations 512A into a body part of a user and a
light receiver 515 operable to receive reflected light from the
body part of the user. Further, the electronic device 100 may
include a processing unit 516, communicably coupled to the light
receiver 515 and operable to determine a health metric based on the
reflected light.
Further as shown, an electronic device may include a translucent
layer 502 that forms a portion of an exterior surface of the
electronic device, an opaque material 511 positioned along an
interior surface of the translucent layer 502 that defines an array
of micro-perforations 512A, 5128, a light source 514 positioned
below the translucent layer 502 and configured to transmit light
through the array of micro-perforations 512A, and a light receiver
515 positioned below the translucent layer 502 proximate to the
light source 514 and configured to detect reflected light from a
body part. The electronic device may also include a processing unit
516 operable to determine bio-information based on the reflected
light detected by the light receiver 515.
FIG. 6 depicts a simplified process of detecting information about
a body 610 using optical energy 618, 619 (such as light). An
optical energy source, such as a light source 614, may transmit
optical energy 618 through a translucent layer 602 into a body 610.
The body 610 may absorb a portion of the optical energy 618. The
portion of the optical energy 618 not absorbed by the body 610 may
be reflected 619 back to an optical energy receiver, such as a
light receiver 615, through the translucent layer 602. The portions
of the optical energy 618 that are absorbed or reflected 619 by the
body 610 may be dependent on the tissue density (or other density)
of portions of the body 610 and may be used to measure blood flow
and/or other health-related characteristics of the body 610.
In various implementations, a bio-sensor may utilize this process
of detecting physiological information (i.e., health-related
information, physiological condition, or other information about a
body 610) to calculate a health metric or other health-related
information. For example, physiological information may include,
but is not limited to, the physiological conditions of heart rate,
respiration rate, blood oxygenation level, blood volume estimate,
blood pressure, and so on. Such a sensor may be implemented in the
electronic device 100 of FIGS. 1A-1B.
As one example, an electronic device may include an array of light
sources 614 and a detector or other light receiver 615 that are
configured to function as an optical sensor or sensors. In one
example, an optical sensor or sensors may be implemented as a
pairing of one or more light sources 614 and the light receiver
615. In one example implementation, the light receiver 615 may be
configured to collect light and convert the collected light into an
electrical sensor signal that corresponds to the amount of light
incident on a surface of the light receiver 615. In one embodiment,
the light receiver 615 may be a photodetector, such as a
photodiode. In other embodiments, the light receiver 615 may
include a phototube, photosensor, or other light-sensitive
device.
In some cases, the one or more bio-sensors may operate as a PPG
sensor or sensors. In some instances, a PPG sensor is configured to
measure light and produce a sensor signal that can be used to
estimate changes in the volume of a part of a user's body. In
general, as light from the one or more light sources 614 passes
through the user's skin and into the underlying tissue, some light
is reflected, some is scattered, and some light is absorbed,
depending on what the light encounters. The light that is received
by the light receiver 615 may be used to generate a sensor signal,
which may be used to estimate or compute a health metric or other
physiological phenomena.
The light sources 614 may operate at the same light wavelength
range, or the light sources 614 can operate at different light
wavelength ranges. In one example, two light sources may be used
rather than the one light source 614 shown. A first of the two
light sources may transmit light in the visible wavelength range
while a second of the two light sources may emit light in the
infrared wavelength range. In some cases, a modulation pattern or
sequence may be used to turn the light sources on and off and
sample or sense the reflected light. In another example, three
light sources may be used rather than the one light source 614
shown. The first of the three light sources in this example may
include, for example, a green LED, which may be adapted for
detecting blood perfusion in the body of the wearer. The second of
the three light sources in this example may include, for example,
an infrared LED, which may be adapted to detect changes in water
content or other properties of the body. The third of the three
light sources in this example may be a similar type or different
types of LED element, depending on the sensing configuration.
The bio-sensor or sensors (e.g., PPG) may be used to compute
various health metrics or physiological conditions, including,
without limitation, a heart rate, a respiration rate, blood
oxygenation level, a blood volume estimate, blood pressure, or a
combination thereof. In some instances, blood may absorb light more
than surrounding tissue, so less reflected light will be sensed by
the light receiver 615 of the PPG sensor when more blood is
present. The user's blood volume increases and decreases with each
heartbeat. Thus, in some cases, a PPG sensor may be configured to
detect changes in blood volume based on the reflected light, and
one or more physiological conditions or parameters of the user may
be determined by analyzing the reflected light. Example
physiological conditions include, but are not limited to, heart
rate, respiration rate, blood hydration, oxygen saturation, blood
pressure, perfusion, and others.
While an example number of light sources 614 and/or light receivers
615 have been described, the number of light sources 614 and/or
light receivers 615 may vary in different embodiments. For example,
another embodiment may use more than one light receiver 615.
Another embodiment may also use fewer or more light sources 614. In
particular, in one example, the light receiver 615 may be shared
between multiple light sources 614. In one alternative embodiment,
two light receivers 615 may be paired with two corresponding light
sources 614 to form two bio-sensors. The two bio-sensors (light
source 614/light receiver 615 pairs) may be operated in tandem and
used to improve the reliability of the sensing operation. For
example, output of the two light receivers 615 may be used to
detect a pulse wave of fluid (e.g., blood) as it passes beneath the
respective light receivers 615. Having two bio-sensor readings
taken at different locations along the pulse wave may allow the
device to compensate for noise created by, for example, movement of
the user, stray light, and other effects.
In some implementations, one or more of the light sources 614 and
the light receiver 615 may also be used for optical data transfer
with a base or other device. For example, the light receiver 615
may be configured to detect light produced by an external mating
device, which may be interpreted or translated into a digital
signal. Similarly, one or more of the light sources 614 may be
configured to transmit light that may be interpreted or translated
into a digital signal by an external device.
FIGS. 7A-7B depict an example electronic device 700 that is
operable to transition from a low power state to an operating state
upon detecting a user 710. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, a low power
state may be a state where a display 707 is powered off. Powering
off the display 707 may conserve power that would be wasted if the
user 710 was not using the electronic device 700.
When the electronic device 700 is in the low power state, the
electronic device 700 may detect a body part of the user 710 using
a bio-sensor operating as a proximity detector or in a
proximity-sensing mode within an area 701 of a translucent layer
702. In response, the electronic device 700 may transition from the
low power state to the operating state. As a result, the electronic
device 700 may power on the display 707, as illustrated in FIG.
7B.
The electronic device 700 may operate in the low power state when
the electronic device 700 has been inactive for a period of time.
The inactive period of time may be configurable and may include a
time ranging from less than a minute to 30 minutes or longer. The
electronic device 700 may determine the electronic device 700 is
not in use when the sensor does not detect the body part of a user
710. When the electronic device 700 is in the operating state and
determines the electronic device 700 is not in use, the electronic
device 700 may power off the display 707, as illustrated in FIG.
7A.
FIG. 8 depicts an example electronic device 800 that is operable to
illuminate a keyboard 804 upon detecting a user 810. This may allow
the user 810 to better see the keyboard 804, use the electronic
device in poorly lit or unlit conditions, and so on. In this
example, the electronic device 800 is operable to detect a body
part of the user 810 using the bio-sensor operating as a proximity
and/or ambient light sensor or in a proximity- or ambient
light-sensing mode. The bio-senor may be configured to detect the
proximity of the user or an ambient light condition over an area of
a translucent layer 802 covered by the body part of the user 810.
Upon such a detection, the electronic device 800 may illuminate
keyboard 804 and the trackpad 803. As illumination 823 may not be
needed when not in use and may be disturbing, such as by
illuminating a dark room where the user 810 may be attempting to
sleep, this configuration may prevent keyboard 804 illumination 823
when the user 810 does not desire the keyboard 804 illuminated.
FIG. 9 depicts an example electronic device 900 that is operable to
detect and display health information about a user 910. In this
example, the electronic device 900 is operable to determine a heart
rate for the user 910 using a health or other bio-sensor
corresponding to an area of a translucent layer 902 covered by a
body part of a user 910. The electronic device 900 may then display
the determined heart rate for the user 910 on a display 907. In
some implementations, the bio-sensor may be used to determine a
health metric or physiological condition of the user 910, while the
user 910 is typing or otherwise operating the device 900.
Additionally, the electronic device 900 may be able to record the
heart rate of the user 910. In this way, the heart rate may be
monitored over time. The user's heart rate over time may be
compared with the heart rate of other users and/or various other
statistical information. For example, the user's heart rate over
time may be compared to heart rate data indicating health problems,
such as hypertension. The electronic device 900 may display such
information, graphically or otherwise, to indicate changes in the
user's health, steps the user 910 may take to improve the user's
health, comparisons to other people of a similar age and/or other
background to indicate the user's relative health, and so on.
In other implementations, the electronic device 900 may monitor the
user's heart rate over time to determine satisfaction or
frustration levels. For example, a user's heart rate may increase
when the user 910 is frustrated. When the electronic device 900
detects the user's heart rate has increased, the electronic device
900 may determine that the user 910 is frustrated and offer help
tips regarding an application the user 910 is currently executing
on the electronic device 900. Various configurations are possible
and contemplated.
FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart illustrating an example method 1000
process for sensing a physiological condition. The example method
1000 may be performed by a device like the example electronic
devices 100, 700, 800, 900 of FIGS. 1A-1B and 7A-9.
At 1010, a bio-sensor of a device operates in a first mode. The
first mode may be a proximity-sensing mode. As part of operating in
the first mode, at 1020, the bio-sensor produces a first light
emission or other optical energy through micro-perforations defined
in an opaque layer on a translucent layer into a body part of a
user. At 1030, the bio-sensor determines whether or not reflected
first light from the body part of the user is received through the
micro-perforations in the opaque layer on the translucent layer. If
the bio-sensor determines reflected first light from the body part
of the user is received, this indicates the body part is proximate.
As such, the flow proceeds to 1040. Otherwise, the flow returns to
1010 and the bio-sensor continues operating in the first mode.
At 1040, after the bio-sensor may be used to determine that the
body part is proximate, the bio-sensor may switch to a second mode.
The second mode may be a PPG sensing mode. As part of operating in
the second mode, at 1050, the bio-sensor may produce a second light
emission or other optical energy through the micro-perforations
into the body part. At 1060, the bio-sensor receives the second
light reflected from the body part through the
micro-perforations.
At 1070, the bio-sensor is used to determine a health metric,
physiological condition, bio-information, or other information,
using the reflected second light. The flow then returns to 1010
after the bio-sensor switches back to the first mode at 1080.
The bio-sensor may switch between the first and second modes for a
variety of reasons. For example, the first and second types of
light may be different types of light. In some implementations, the
first light may be infrared light and the second light may be
visible light (such as red colored light, green colored light, a
combination thereof, and so on). As such, the bio-sensor may
operate in the first mode using infrared light until the body part
is detected because infrared light may not be visible to users.
Once the bio-sensor is covered by the body part such that the
second light would not be visible, the bio-sensor may switch to the
second mode.
By way of another example, the second mode may consume power at a
second rate that is greater than a first rate \ the first mode. In
various implementations, transmission of the second light may
consume more power than transmission of the first light. Thus, the
bio-sensor may conserve power by operating in the first mode until
the body part is detected so that power is not unnecessarily wasted
by operating in the second mode when there is no body part from
which to determine a physiological condition of a user.
Although the example method 1000 is illustrated and described as
including particular operations performed in a particular order, it
is understood that this is an example. In various implementations,
various orders of the same, similar, and/or different operations
may be performed without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
For example, the example method 1000 describes transmitting first
light in the first mode, second light in the second mode, and
switching from the first mode to the second mode when the first
light is received reflected back from a body part. However, in some
implementations, the bio-sensor may transmit light in the second
mode but not the first mode. In such implementations, the
bio-sensor may use other information to determine when a body part
is proximate. For example, the bio-sensor may monitor a capacitive
sensor in the first mode. The capacitive sensor may provide an
indication of a changed capacitance when the body part is
proximate. When the bio-sensor receives such a signal, the
bio-sensor may switch to the second mode and transmit light to
determine the physiological condition. Various configurations are
possible and contemplated without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure.
As described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures, the
present disclosure relates to body sensing via translucent layers
with opaque layers. An electronic device may optically detect
information about a user's body by transmitting light or other
optical energy through micro-perforations defined in an opaque
layer on a translucent layer and determining what portion of the
light is reflected back from the user's body though the
micro-perforations. This may allow detection of a variety of
different information about the user's body without visible sensors
or sensor components. This sensing capability may be incorporated
into the housing of an electronic device, such as the area of a
laptop computing device around a keyboard and/or trackpad. Examples
of sensors that may be implemented in this fashion include, but are
not limited to, proximity sensors, infrared distance sensors,
ambient light sensors, health sensors, and so on.
In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented
as sets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further,
it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in
the methods disclosed are examples of sample approaches. In other
embodiments, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method
can be rearranged while remaining within the disclosed subject
matter. The accompanying method claims present elements of the
various steps in a sample order, and are not necessarily meant to
be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.
The described disclosure may be provided as a computer program
product, or software, that may include a non-transitory
machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which
may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic
devices) to perform a process according to the present disclosure.
A non-transitory machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for
storing information in a form (e.g., software, processing
application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The
non-transitory machine-readable medium may take the form of, but is
not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette,
video cassette, and so on); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM);
magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random
access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and
EEPROM); flash memory; and so on.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled
in the art that the specific details are not required in order to
practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing
descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the
precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that many modifications and variations are
possible in view of the above teachings.
For example, features implementing functions may also be physically
located at various positions, including being distributed such that
portions of functions are implemented at different physical
locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as
used in a list of items prefaced by "at least one of" indicates a
disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of "at least one of
A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and
B and C). Further, the term "exemplary" does not mean that the
described example is preferred or better than other examples.
* * * * *